Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis was joined by U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-NJ) to announce the sale of land at the former Military Ocean Terminal, which will now become industrial warehouses, creating 2,700 jobs.

[fve]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVU7n7ooH3c[/fve]

The East Rutherford-based firm, Lincoln Equities Group, purchased the land from the current owner, Highstar Capital, and their intention is to construct up to 1.6 million square feet of “modern, next generation” industrial warehouse space that will allow a variety of private sector companies to set up their logistics and distribution centers.

“This is a significant event for Bayonne. When then is all completed, 2,700 permanent jobs will be created. Lincoln Equities has said, and which were part of our negotiations, it is making most of those jobs available for Bayonne residents,” Davis told Hudson County View.

“So through recruitment and an education program over the next couple of years we’ll bring and keep those jobs here in Bayonne.”

While the majority of the economic development along the Hudson County waterfront has been driven by residential construction for many years now, today’s announcement seems to harken back to a time when Bayonne employed thousands of industry workers.

“When I was growing up in this town it was an industrial city. So to be able to do this now and bring modern day industry back into Bayonne, that’s what it’s all about,” the mayor added.

Equally, Menendez and Booker praised the proposed development’s economic impact not just for Bayonne residents but for the region as a whole.

“What makes today so incredibly important is understanding that this is a project, not just for today, but also for the future. We can create a cycle of economic growth that not only stands to benefit areas like Bayonne but the thousands and thousands of jobs and economic activity that can support this entire region,” Booker said at the podium.

“It’s not just about the building or 1.6 million of square feet but it’s about people’s lives. The number of jobs that will be created here [as a result of the development] means that people and families will be able to both sustain themselves and realize their hopes, dreams and aspirations from this. This is a tremendous shot in the arm for employment for the people of Bayonne,” exclaimed Menendez.

The full press conference, which streamed live on our Facebook page, can be viewed below:

Hudson County View is an independent media outlet covering news and politics for Hudson County, NJ, and all of its municipalities. Owned and operated by John Heinis, an investigative reporter, Hudson County View focuses on covering elections, public policy, lawsuits, corruption and all other things related to government and politics in Hudson County.